Osh, October 15, 2026. The city of Osh is hosting a national seminar titled “Implementation of the National Biosafety Mechanism: Digitalization, Inclusivity, and Interagency Cooperation.” The event aims to strengthen the capacity of specialists and foster interagency cooperation as part of the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The seminar was organized as part of a project to implement a national biosafety mechanism, which is being carried out by the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The event brings together representatives from government agencies, laboratories, scientific and educational institutions, agricultural cooperatives, and enterprises from the city of Osh and the Batken and Jalal-Abad regions. Among them are specialists in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, veterinary medicine, laboratory diagnostics, and food safety, as well as university professors and agricultural producers.
During the seminar, Kuban Matraimov, director of the CAREC branch in Kyrgyzstan, presented information on the project’s progress and the main results of efforts to establish a national biosafety mechanism.
As part of the project, work is underway to improve the regulatory framework, develop mechanisms for interagency cooperation, prepare methodological guidelines for risk assessment and the identification of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and create a national biosafety information platform.
“The systematic development of a national biosafety mechanism requires effective interagency coordination, improvements to the regulatory framework, and the strengthening of specialists’ technical capacity,” noted Kuban Matraimov.
In her opening remarks, FAO representative Cholpon Alibakieva emphasized that the development of modern biotechnologies must be accompanied by a responsible approach to their application.
“Modern biotechnologies open up new opportunities for agricultural development and for increasing the productivity and sustainability of agri-food systems. At the same time, it is important to ensure the responsible and safe use of such technologies, based on scientific data and international commitments,” noted Cholpon Alibakieva.
Why It Is Important to Work with the Regions
Local specialists are involved in addressing practical issues related to veterinary and phytosanitary control, laboratory testing, the production and processing of agricultural products, and the conservation of natural resources. Therefore, access to up-to-date knowledge and training materials in the field of biosafety is of particular importance to the regions.
Training helps specialists better understand legal requirements, approaches to identifying and assessing risks associated with GMOs, and Kyrgyzstan’s international obligations. In addition, such events create opportunities for sharing experiences and strengthening cooperation among government agencies, laboratories, the scientific community, and the agricultural sector.
An important area of focus is ensuring access to up-to-date and reliable information not only for experts but also for farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and other stakeholders. This promotes more informed decision-making regarding the production and distribution of agricultural products.
Holding the seminar in Osh allows us to engage experts from the southern regions in the discussion and focus on the practical issues they face in their work. Strengthening local professional capacity and fostering interagency cooperation remain essential for the effective implementation of the national biosafety mechanism, the conservation of biodiversity, and the sustainable development of Kyrgyzstan’s agri-food systems.
For more information:
Kuban Matraimov – Director of the CAREC Branch in Kyrgyzstan, kyrgyzstan@carececo.org